Foundation garment



Feb. 28, 1933. K. E. CUNNINGHAM FOUNDATION GARMENT iNVENTOR E. CUNNINGHAM BY H.

' ATTORNEY Filed nMarch 30, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 LSQQSQU 3253b 1933 K. E. CUNNINGHAM FOUNDATION GARMENT Filed March 50, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR KATHERINE E. CUNNINGHAM ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 28, I933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KATHERINE E. CUNNINGHAM, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ASSOCIATED APPAREL INDUSTRIES, INC., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION GARMENT Application filed March 30, 1932. Serial No. 601,897.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a garment of this type with a flexible control adapted to accommodate itself to variations in the measurements of different individuals, and to provide a flat adjustable fastening which is more durable and less bulky than heretofore.

In one form of the invention the garment 1s a comblned corset and brasslere having.

an opening at one side extending from top to bottom and provided with suitable fastening means. Longitudinal elastic sections at the sides of the corset mold the figure and fit the front of the corset snugly across I the diaphragm and abdomen. The adjustable control includes a pair of flaps which are secured to the front edges of the brassiere and corset and extend rearwardly bei yond the sides of the garment. These flaps a downward pull across the upper edge of terminate in elastic control straps which are preferably hooked to the back of the corset in any one of several positions permitting the stra s tobe held under varying degrees of tension.

In the preferred form of the invention the sets of elastic control straps each include an upper diagonal strap arranged to exert the brassiere,*a lower diagonal strap connected to the upper strap'at an angle to exert an upward pull on the .front of the corset in the'region of the abdomen, and a'horizontal strap which is secured to'the diagonal straps in position to exert a pull across the lower edge of the brassiere and upper edge of the corset in the region of the diaphragm. The horizontal straps are preferably shorter than the diagonal straps and are connected to intermediate portions of the respective diagonal straps so that increased tension is distributed uniformly over the portions of the garment where control is most desired.

1 The respective sets of elastic straps are preferably provided with hooks which are adapted to engage in eyelets which are arranged in horizontal series at the back of the corset, providing a flat fastening which is readily adjusted to different measurements and to mold the busts, flatten thediaphragm and confine and support the abdomen in accordance with the requirements of the individual wearer. In some cases the elastic straps may be crossed at the back of the garment and fastened in the manner previously described, or one set of straps may be fastened to the inside of the opposite flap and the other set of straps fastened to the outside of its opposite flap as hereinafter described.

Theseand other features and advantages of the invention will be described in connec tion with the accompanying drawings, inv

which:

Fig. 1 is a front View of a combination corset and brassiere embodying the invention' F ig. 2 is a rear view of a model with the garment applied thereto;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail illustrating the.

preferred construction of the elastic straps;

Fig. 4 is a rear view of a modified combifi'ation garment with the brassiere spread out Fig. 5 is a rear viewof a model with this garment applied thereto; and

Fig. 6 is a rear view of a brassiere construction in accordance with the invention.

The garment shown in Figs. 1 and-2 comprises a front corset section 1 having a brassiere front 2 secured to its upper edge, a back section 3 having a built-up brassire back 4, and longitudinal side elastic sections 5 and 6 extending from the bottom of the garment to about'the waist line where they are secured to the upper side sections 7 and 8, respective ly, constituting the sides of the brassiere.

The entire garment opens at one side and is fastened on the body by means of cooperating series of hooks and eyes 9 on the meeting edges. Shoulder straps 10 and 11 are attached to the front and back sections 2 and 4 of the brassiere. An elastic gore 12 is inserted in the lower central portion of the front section 1, and garters 13 are attached to the lower edges of the front, back and side siections of the garment as best shown in The front section 1 preferably has double center stays 14 and sin 1e side stays 15 and 16 secured to a lining 1% on the reverse side of the garment. These stays furnish the strength and rigidity necessary to confine and support the diaphragm and abdomen. The back section 3 has long vertical stays 18 and 19 on opposite sides of the center, extending the full length of section 3, and shorter side nate in a series of elastic straps 24, 25 and 26 which are preferably stitched to the outer ends of the flaps. The diagonal elastic straps 24 and 26 of each set converge from their points of attachment at the upper and lower edges of the flaps 22 and 23 and are se- .cured to tabs 27 which are provided wi h hooks 28. The horizontal elastic straps 25 of each set are preferably shorter than the diagonal straps 24 and 26 and have their out-.

er ends secured to an intermediate portion of the straps 24 and 26 by transverse scams or piping 29 as shown in Fig. 3.

The flaps 22 and 23 extend rearwardly beyond the sides of the garment and overlap the sides 7 and 8 of the .brassiere. A tape 30 having a series of horizontal spaced eyelets 31 is secured to the back section 3 between stays 18 and 19 for the purpose of adjustably receiving the hooks 28 as shown in Fig. 2. When tension is exerted on the tabs 27, by clasping hooks 28 in eyelets 31, the straps 24 exert a downward pull along the upper edges of flaps 22 and 23 and along the upper edge of the brassiere front 2; while straps 25 exert a horizontal pull across the lower edge of brassiere front 2 and across the upper portion of corset section 1 covering the diaphragm; and straps 26 diverge from straps 24 at an angle to exert an upward pull on the lower edge of 'flaps 22 and 23 and the lower ortion of corset section 1 covering the abomen. i

It will thus be seen that the elastic straps 24, 25 and 26 cooperate in the manner described to mold the busts, flatten the diaphragm and confine and support the abdomen. The choice of eyelets 31 depends upon the amount of flesh in the diaphragm and abdomen and upon the degree of tension desired. The elastic side sections 5and 6 of the corset tend to fit the corset snugly across the diaphragm and abdomen and in the case of some individuals comparatively little additional tension is required. When further tension is required thespecial arrangement of elastic straps 24, 25 and 26 results in molding the figure uniformly in accordance with the correct measurements of the wearer, the initial tension of the long straps 24 and 26 bein greater than that of the short straps 25, and the tension of all the straps increasing sub stantially uniformly as the tabs 27 are moved closer together.

An important advantage of this garment is that it may be adjusted to and worn with perfect comfort by different individuals who take the same size garment but who differ somewhat in bust, diaphragm or abdominal measurements. The construction described above will permit at least a two inch variation in figure measurement without even changing the adjustment of the elastic straps. Where comparatively little flattening effect is required the hooks 28 may be clasped in the end eyelets 31 as shown in Fig. 2, the elastic straps cooperating to mold the busts and to exert a tension on the diaphragm and abdomen to an extent depending upon the amount of flesh so confined. When a further flattening effect is required the hooks 28 may be moved to inner eyelets, further confining the diaphragm'and abdomen.

The combination garment shown in Figs. 4 and 5 comprises a corset or girdle having an elongated front section 33, a back section 34 and longitudinal side elastic sections 35 and 36. The corset opens at one side and is fastened by means of cooperating series of hooks andeyes 37 on the meeting edges. The front section 33' is provided with stays 38 in the region of the diaphragm, and back section 34 is provided with stays 39 extending the full length of the corset. Garters 40 are attached to the lower edges of the front and back sections 33 and 34. The brassiere has a front ortion 41 which is sewn to the upper edge 0 front section 33 and is arranged to cover the body across the busts. It is also provided with flaps or end sections 42 and 43 which are stitched to the sides of front portion 41 and down the sides of front section 33 of the corset to about the waist line. Shoulder straps 44 and 45 anattached to the front portion 41 and to the flaps 42 and 43 as shown in Fig.4.

The flaps 42 and 43 each terminate in a series of elastic straps 46, 47 and 48 which 3 and 43 and are secured to tabs 49 which are provided with hooks 50. The horizontal elastic straps 47 of each set are shorter than the diagonal straps 46 and 48 and have their outer ends secured to intermediate portions of the straps 46 and 48 by transverse seams or piping 51 as shown in Fig' 4.

The flaps 42 and 43 extend rearwardly beyond the sides of the garment and the hooks 50 are adapted to be clasped in one or another of the eyelets 52 in tapes 53 which are secured to the back section 34 between the pairs of stays 39. The two sets of elastic straps are crossed when fastened to the back of the garment, as shown in Fig. 5, but other wise the action of the straps is the same as previously described.

The garment shown in Fig. 6 comprises a brassiere 54 having a connected front section 55 arranged to cover the diaphragm and upper part of the abdomen. Flaps 56 and 57 are sewn to thevertical edges of said brassiere and said front section. These flaps terminate insets of elastic straps 58, 59 and 60 which are stitched to the outer ends of the flaps. The short horizontal straps 59 are secured to intermediate portions of the respeptive diagonal straps 58 and 60 by seams 61 as previously described.

The two sets of elastic straps are adapted to cross at the back pf the garment and are each fastened to the opposite flap in an suitable manner. In the form shown in ig. 6 the straps are provided at their extremities with loops 62 one of which is adapted to engage a button 63 on the outside of the opposite flap and the other of which is adapted to engage a similar button on the inside of its opposite flap. The action of the elastic straps is the same as previously described. Shoulder straps 64 and 65 are attached to the front portion of the brassiere and to flaps 56 and 57, and garters 66 are attached to the lower meetinged 'es of the front section 55 and the respective daps 56 and 57.

It will be evident that various changes may be made in the detailspf construction herein shown and described without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. A foundation garment comprising a brassiere adapted to cover the body across the busts and a connected front section. ada ted to cover the diaphragm and abdomen, aps secured to the sides of said brassiere an down the sides of said front section to about the waist line, sets of elastic straps attached to the outer ends of said flaps and including an upper diagonal strap arranged to exert a downward pull on the upper front edge of the brassiere, a lower dia onal strap connected to the upper strap an diverging therefrom at an angle to exert an upward pull on said front section in the region of the abdomen, I

and a shorter horizontal strap secured to an 7 intermediate portion of said diagonal straps in position to exert a pull across the lower front edge of the brassiere and the upper edge of said front section in the region of the diaphragm, and means for holding said straps under tension at the back of the garment.

2. A foundation garment comprising a corset and a brassiere having connected front, back and side sections adapted to encircle the body and having an opening at one side extending from top to bottom, fastening means for securingadjacent edges of said opening together, flaps secured to the front edges of the brassiere and down the sides of the corset to about the waist line and extending rearwardly to overlap the sides and back'of the garment, elastic straps attached to the outer ends of said flaps, a series of eyelets .on the back of the corset, and hooks on said elastic straps for selective engagement with said eyelets.

3. A foundation garment comprising a corset and a brassiere having connected front, back and side sections adapted to encircle the body and having an openlng at one side exdownward pull on the upper front edge of the brassiere, a lower diagonal strap connected to the upper strap at an angle to exert an upward pull on the front of the corset in the region of the abdomen, and a horizontal strap secured to said diagonal stra s in position to exert a pull across the lower ront edge of the brassiere and the upper front edge of the corset in the region of the diaphragm, a plurality of horizontally spaced eyelets at the back of the corset, and hooks on the end of. therespective sets of straps for selective engagement with said eyele 4. A foundation garment comprising a corset and a brassiere having connected front, back and side sections adapted to encircle the body and having an opening at one s" 'e 'extending from top to bottom, fastening means for securing ad] acent edges of said open ng together, longitudinal side elastic sections ex- (1 tending from the bottom of the garment to wardly to-overlap the sides and back-of the.

garment, sets of elastic straps attached to the outer endsof said flaps and Including an upper diagonalstrap arranged to exert a naeaeee downward pull on the upper front edge of the brassiere, a lower diagonal strap connected to the upper strap and diverging therefrom at an angle to exert an upward pull on the front of the corset in the region of the abdomen, and a shorter horizontal strap secured to an intermediate portion of said diag onal straps in position to exert a pullacross the lower front edge of the brassiere and the w upper front edge of the corset in the region of the diaphragm, spaced vertical stays in the back of the corset, a plurality of horizontally spaced eyelets in the back of the corset between said stays, and hooks on the connected ends of said diagonal straps for selective engagement with said eyelets.

5. A foundation garment comprising a brassiere adapted to cover the body across the busts and a connected front section adapted to cover the diaphragm and abdomen, flaps secured to the sides of said brassiere and down the sides of said front section to about the Waist line, sets of elastic straps attached to the outer ends of said flaps and adapted to be crossed at the back of the garment, each of said sets including an upper diagonal strap arranged to exert a downward pull on the upper front edge of the brassiere, a lower diagonal strap connected to the upper strap and diverging therefrom at an angle to exert an upward pull on the lower part of said front section, and a shorter horizontal strap secured to an intermediate portion of said diagonal straps in position to exert a pull across the lower front edge of the brassiere and the upper edge of said front section in the region of the diaphragm, means for fastening one set of straps to the inside of its opposite flap, and means for fastening the other set of straps to the outside of its opposite flap when said straps are crossed.

Signed at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois this 26th day of March KATHERINE E. CUNNINGHAM. 

